Have you ever received a casino bonus but been unable to cash out your winnings as a result of wagering requirements? Or perhaps you never truly understood the concept of them and find them difficult to calculate? We've got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to get around wagering requirements and the best tips and tricks on how to convert your bonus cash into real money.
You must always play through your casino bonus a certain number of times before you can cash out any wins.
This process is referred to as bonus wagering, and these requirements apply to one of the following:
Wagering requirements are always expressed as a multiplier, such as 20x or 30x, indicating how many times the bonus credit must be played through. The lower the multiplier, the easier it will be to complete the wagering requirements.
Every bet you place with your bonus counts towards the wagering requirement. For example, If you place a $2 bet with your bonus, $2 will be deducted from your wagering requirement.
So, if you have to wager a total of $20, you may place ten $2 bets and then withdraw your winnings. Simple, right?!
Keep in mind that if you claim a deposit bonus, your bets will begin to contribute to the wagering requirements once you have exhausted your deposited funds.
This is due to the fact that you must utilize your deposited funds before your bonus funds, which are kept in a different casino balance.
Since wagering requirements vary depending on the type of bonus, the total amount you must wager can always be determined using one of the two calculations below:
Bonus Value x Wagering Requirements = The Total Amount You Have To Wager
(Bonus Value + Deposit Value) x Wagering Requirements = The Total Amount You Have To Wager
Once you are provided the value of the no deposit bonus and the wagering requirement amount, you can calculate how much you need to wager from there. You do this by multiplying the base value by the wagering requirements.
This gives you the total amount you must wager before you can withdraw any funds. For example, if you claim a $20 no deposit bonus with 30x wagering requirements, you would have to bet $600 ($20 x 30) in total.
No deposit free spins have no intrinsic value as they are given out as quantity, for instance, 10 free spins. To work out the value of your spins, all you have to do is wager them.
For example, if you win $10 with your free spins, the value of your bonus will be $10. This can then be entered into the equation. If the wagering requirement for your free spin bonus is 25x, you would have to bet $250 ($10 x 25) before you can withdraw any winnings.
Sometimes, deposit bonuses require you to bet both the amount of your bonus and the amount of your deposit. Let's say you receive a 100% match bonus up to $100 and deposit $100.
In this case, you have a bonus worth $100 in bonus credits and a real money deposit worth $100. If the wagering requirements were set at 20x, you would have to make the following equation:
($100 Bonus Value + $100 Deposit Value) x Wagering Requirement (20x) = Total ($4,000)
Therefore, before you can cash out any winnings, you need to play a total of $4,000.
There is no universal wagering requirement that applies to all bonuses.
The multiplier value will differ between casino bonus offers. However, as a general rule, the more you deposit, the lower the wagering requirements.
When comparing wagering requirements, consider these general guidelines:
| Wagering Multiplier | Wagering Rating |
|---|---|
| 1x – 20x | Excellent |
| 20x – 30x | Low |
| 30x – 50x | Average |
| 50x – 70x | High |
Wagering requirements for no deposit bonuses are usually high since it allows you the chance to win free cash without risking your own money. So If you're searching for low wagering requirements, find a casino bonus requiring a qualifying minimum deposit.
A game’s weighting percentage specifies how much of your stake counts toward the wagering requirement.
If a game is 100% weighted, an amount equal to your stake will be subtracted from your wagering requirement on every spin or hand. In other words, playing 100% weighted games maximises your chances of converting your bonus to real money.
Here's a general example of game weighting percentages at online casinos:
| Game Categories | Contribution Percentage |
|---|---|
| Slots, Keno, Scratchcards | 100% |
| Live Casino Games | 20% |
| Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette | 20% |
| Craps | 5% |
If you examine the table above, you can see how much you would need to play to convert your funds into cash that you can withdraw. To do so, divide the wagering requirement by the stake wagering percentage in decimal form.
Let's say you claim a 100% match bonus. In this case, if you make a $50 qualifying deposit and meet the 30x wagering requirement on slots, you would have to play a total of $3,000 before you can cash out any wins.
We suggest you avoid bonuses that have wagering requirements on both the bonus and the qualifying deposit. Why? It’s simple, you will need to wager more to convert the bonus to real withdrawable cash. Be sure to check out our online casino bonuses for offers with low wagering requirements.
Wagering requirements are not the only restriction placed on free bonus offers by online casinos. There are a few more things to consider that will impact the amount of cash you are able to win and withdraw.
We’ll briefly outline a few bonus terms and conditions below.
Withdrawal limits determine the maximum amount that can be cashed out from a free bonus. Since bonuses often have very low withdrawal limits, it is worthwhile to learn about them and compare offers to find the best options.
No deposit bonuses often have a withdrawal limit of between $10 and $100. If you want to win a higher amount, claiming a match bonus may be a better alternative, as these have higher limits and more reasonable bonus terms.
A bonus offer can only be used with eligible games. For example, free spin bonuses are typically offered on a specific slot or a selection of slots, as stated in the terms and conditions.
These limits cap the amount that can be won from a hand or single spin. For this reason, winning a large jackpot and keeping the total amount would be impossible. A withdrawal limit restricts the amount you can cash out.
Casino bonuses also have expiration dates. This means that the clock starts ticking when you claim a bonus. Time limits can be placed on the use of the bonus as well as the wagering requirements, so it's best to know what they are ahead of time.
There is no way to guarantee that you will win money when playing with a casino bonus, but there are ways to boost your chances considerably.
Here are our expert tips and tricks to turn those bonus funds into real money wins.
Claiming bonuses that have low wagering requirements is by far the best way to convert your bonus funds into real cash. Anything around 20x to 40x is industry standard. If you come across higher wagering, consider looking for another bonus.
When you play casino games with a weighting of less than 100%, you will have to wager your bonus more times in order to meet the requirements. This can significantly decrease your odds of fulfilling any wagering requirements with a positive balance.
Where possible, always opt for high RTP (return to player) slots. These are statistically more likely to result in enough wins to meet the wagering requirements. Learn more about RTP percentages and how they impact bonus wagering with our in-depth RTP and volatility guide.
Similar to RTP, you may not have the option to choose which game you play, but if you do, select low-volatility slots, as they pay out more regularly, giving you a better chance of keeping a positive balance.
Online casino bonuses provide you with the chance to win real money. However, pay attention to pesky wagering requirements to avoid losing your bonus amount and any winnings you accumulate.
How amazing would it be if you got a bonus with no wagering requirements? On our no wager bonus page, we provide a wide range of bonuses with no wagering requirements, which means you can withdraw your wins whenever you want.
As you can see from the examples we've provided in this comprehensive guide, wagering requirements can greatly impact your chances of winning real money using a promotional offer.
One of the best things you can do to fight this is to choose a bonus with low wagering requirements. This can help you play through the bonus efficiently and boost your fun when trying to meet the bonus terms.
We feature many lucrative offers on our page if you are looking for promotions that provide the best opportunity to turn bonus credits into actual money.
We work with top online casinos and have even secured exclusive no deposit bonuses with more favourable terms to provide you with the best promotions in the industry.
Olivia King is our Senior Editor as well as our webmaster. She is in charge of ensuring that we are providing you with the best no deposit bonuses in the market, regardless of your location or personal preferences.
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